Method for processing a digitally exposed translucent or transparent photographic material

Abstract

A method is provided that is suitable fur use in processing a digitally exposed translucent or transparent display material. The method includes exposing a translucent or transparent material to light emitted from a light source. The material contains at least one silver halide having a silver content of at least about 1 g/m 2 based on the area of the material. The method also includes contacting the material with a color developer solution comprising at least one color developing agent and a compound having the following formula (I): in which each of a and b independently represents 1 to 4, and in which each of X and Y independently represents a hydrogen, sodium or potassium atom. The duration of the step (b) is from about 60 to about 180 seconds.

1. A method suitable for use in processing a digitally exposed translucent or transparent display material, comprising:
 (a) digitally exposing a translucent or transparent display material to light emitted from a light source, wherein the material contains at least one silver halide having a silver content of at least about 1 g/m 2  based on the area of the materials, wherein the duration of the step (a) is from about 10 −4  to about 10 −8  seconds; and  
 (b) contacting the material with a color developer solution comprising at least one color developing agent and a compound having the following formula (I): 
                 
 
  wherein each of a and b independently represents 1 to 4, and wherein each of X and Y independently represents a hydrogen, sodium or potassium atom; and  
 wherein the duration of the step (b) is from 110 to about 180 seconds.  
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the formula (I) compound, a and b represent 2, and X and Y represent sodium. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the silver content is from about 1 to about 2 g/m 2  based on the area of the material. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a laser, a light-emitting diode or a cathode ray tube. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the color developer solution comprises the formula (I) compound from about 0.007 to about 0.07 mole per liter of the color developer solution. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the color developer solution comprises the formula (I) compound from about 0.02 to about 0.04 mole per liter of the color developer solution. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the color developer solution comprises DEHA from 0 to about 0.04 mole per liter of the color developer solution. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the color developer solution is substantially free of DEHA. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step (b) is conducted at a temperature from about 33 to about 40° C. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the color developing agent comprises a para-phenylene diamine derivative in either free base or salt form. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the para-phenylene diamine derivative in either free base or salt form comprises N-ethyl-N-β-methylsulfonamidoethyl)-3-methyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-ethyl-N-(β-hydroxyethyl) 3-methyl-p-phenylenediamine or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the color developing agent is present in an amount from about 5 to about 10 grams per liter of the color developer solution. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the color developer solution further comprises a water-miscible or water-soluble, hydroxyl-substituted organic solvent. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the organic solvent comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the organic solvent is present in an amount from about 10 to about 30 grams per liter of the color developer solution. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the color developer solution is from about 9 to about 11. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the silver halide is selected from the group consisting of silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodide and mixtures thereof.